it’s 2017

the closet doesn’t have a door

there’s still monsters inside

amongst binders and gender-neutral clothes

if you’re a millennial

chances are the bedroom door is locked

you didn’t slam it after announcing

“no one understands me!”

crouch on the balls of your feet

back to the threshold

repeat quietly

when you can speak through sobs

“no one understands me…”

tiptoe down the hallway

avoid the Bible

advertised on the coffee table and the lecture tamed behind a newspaper

it’s 2017

but you can’t teach an old dog

new tricks